Study: Food-deprived teens more likely to relapse

By Staff Writer

Many problem teens who are addicted to drugs do not consume a healthy amount of food on a daily basis. Furthermore, some adolescents who abuse illegal substances also suffer from eating disorders.

A new study, which was presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, reveals that individuals who are trying to remain sober will experience drug cravings if they deprive themselves of food. These findings were based on an experiment of lab rats, which mimicked the behavior of a relapsed addict by seeking heroine when they were exposed to a short period of intense hunger.

The results show that a molecule called NPY, which can trigger addictive behaviors, is released into the body during periods of food restriction. The team of researchers found that rats who were administered a certain compound - which blocked brain receptors from releasing NPY - were less likely to seek heroin.

Uri Shalev of Concordia University, the lead author of the study, found that there were no negative side effects of the compound. Shalev was optimistic that the experiment will help in the treatment of drug addiction.

Adolescents who abuse drugs or alcohol may benefit from troubled teen programs, which offer resources for addiction and behavioral problems.